"We're obviously done on defense," said Detroit GM Ken Holland. "We're still looking for a back-up goalie. If we can find a forward on a short-term deal to fill out our needs, great. But will that be this week or later in the summer, who knows?"

Stuart's deal includes a no-trade clause for the first two seasons and a limited-trade clause for the final two.

"They were pretty sure he could get $4 to $4.5 million," said Holland. "We paid a little bit more than we wanted to and he took a little bit less than he wanted to. But all deals made a compromises. He's got a home now."

Erik Cole went to the Oilers... Funny, I though Cole would be an East Coast Lifer. They also drop Torres for Brule. I think that was kind of a mistake...Torres is getting better each season. With Visnovsky in the mix, you have to wonder if the Oilers are trying to build something huge...following suit with the Lightning.

If we can steal Mats Sundin now we're set, however, I won't be surprised if we do not make the pick up.

I like Conklin. I think he's a sturdy player that if Osgood has a slump or a bad start or even if this post season was a fluke (which I hope it wasn't a fluke and assume that it wasn't) Ty will be able to take over the #1. He did well with the Pens when Fleury wasn't doing all that well.

How about those leafs giving Jeff Finger 3.5M a yr.... What are they thinking?

I'd say $3.5 m is a bit steep for a player that is just starting to look good. You have to keep in mind, though, good D-men are hard to come by as of late. Anybody playing that position that even looks like they might have a decent year are going to go for more than they're worth.

How about those leafs giving Jeff Finger 3.5M a yr.... What are they thinking?

I'd say $3.5 m is a bit steep for a player that is just starting to look good. You have to keep in mind, though, good D-men are hard to come by as of late. Anybody playing that position that even looks like they might have a decent year are going to go for more than they're worth.

While D-men may be in short supply I think they grossly overpaid. As for Sundin, I think the Canucks are in the drivers seat offering him a 2yr 20M deal. I don't think any other team in their right mind will offer that much for Sundin. We will see if money talks though.

I actually have more faith in the Bulin Wall than I do Huet. Now that Habby has a suitable supporting cast i envision a large increase in his personal stats. Also, when Khabibulin gets hot, its hard to put pucks past him. This could be a huge season for Chi Town.

TSN's reporting Jagr is off to Russia. And there goes the first marquis player (although his best days are long behind him)...Maybe the start of a large exodus of Euros as Russian League starts handing out ridiculous contracts.

TSN's reporting Jagr is off to Russia. And there goes the first marquis player (although his best days are long behind him)...Maybe the start of a large exodus of Euros as Russian League starts handing out ridiculous contracts.

Theres no way that league is going to last long paying 35 mil over two years to one player. We may see some guys like Jagr past their prime jump for the big money, but I think the younger guys will stick with the NHL. Good money and something to play for in the Stanley Cup.

But the club he's signed for, Omsk, is sponsored by Roman Abramovich's oil company, and he has very deep pockets. (Just look at his [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Abramovich]wiki page]. The "boats and planes" section is enough to make your eyes water).

Anyway, I don't see young players flocking to Russia either, but I expect some more veteran NHLers, especially European ones to go to the new Russian Continental League. How viable it is we'll have to wait and see.

TSN's reporting Jagr is off to Russia. And there goes the first marquis player (although his best days are long behind him)...Maybe the start of a large exodus of Euros as Russian League starts handing out ridiculous contracts.

Oh oh...there goes Radulov now. Still not marquis, but a great young talent.